The delivery of extra appointments by GPs and community services has helped shrink waiting lists by almost 40,000 since July 2024.
The NHS waiting list fell to its lowest level in two years in April, according to NHSE data.
A surgical hub has launched to help tackle waiting lists in North West England.
The number of people waiting two years for an outpatient appointment in Scotland has hit record levels.
First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, has been accused of missing a two-year waiting time target.
Government efforts to reduce NHS waiting lists have been set back after numbers rose in March following a decline in the previous six months.
There is no evidence that rising NHS waiting lists are a major driver of rising health-related benefit claims, according to new analysis.
Teams of crack doctors have been helping cutting waiting lists by more than double the national average in deprived areas.
Waiting lists fell for a fifth consecutive month by 35,000 from 7.46m to 7.43m in January.
Maximising primary and community care capacity for a shift towards preventative care, writes Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation
Wakefield, West Yorkshire£42,839 to £46,142, Grade 10.
Doncaster, South YorkshireGrade 6 £25,981 - £26,815
Wakefield, West Yorkshire£42,839 to £46,142, Grade 10.
Doncaster, South YorkshireGrade 6 £25,981 - £26,815